News

As a pedagogue you are, amongst other things, concerned with the development of children. As a professional I am convinced that the environment and education, are important factors in the development of children. I think it’s a wonderful experience for every child to get out and about with their parents/carers in a cargo bike. Being outdoors and exploring nature, the children (and their parents/carers) are challenged, which in turn stimulates their curiosity.

By doing something together and getting acquainted with things around you during a cycle ride, there’s the sense of attachment, which strengthens the relationship. Due to the ‘rider’ being at a short distance from the ‘occupant’, there is sufficient opportunity for interaction. During the ride, the child is faced away from the adult, which often makes the child more comfortable with the interaction. As a child, I can well remember such lovely moments on the bike. As a professional, however, I have been able to experience, whilst working with children, what the effect of “doing something together” has on the relationship. You join together in a similar activity and thereby create affiliation. Which child would not want quality time together and the attention of his/her parents/carers. Finally, an active adult, as a role model, will also stimulate a child to be active. Children at young age are more sensitive to example behavior and tend to copy everything the same as their parents.

Think of the example of a mother giving the baby the bottle and the younger sister doing the same thing with her doll. By a parent readily taking a (cargo) bike, this would in turn insure that the child wished to be actively involved and even want to learn how to ride a bike. Seeing activity, activates! I would like to conclude with the fact that I regularly see, hear or read that parents often reward their children with sweets. In my view a reward by means of an activity together (for example a ride on a cargo bike) would be 100% more valuable for the development and health of a child.

Kim Tacken

Pedagogue, nanny and primary school-aid for children with special needs